At that time, Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.

Luke 1:39–40

Mary sat there trying to catch her breath. What had just happened? Had there really been an angel right in front of her just moments before? “I’m going to have a baby!” She involuntarily gazed at her stomach as her hand touched her garment. “Is he already in there? Jesus, the angel said his name was. The Messiah. The One who will save us all!”

“Wait! Who will believe me? What should I do? Who should I tell? Oh no, what about Joseph?” She panicked. “Will he understand?” The truth of what was happening to her hit her full force. “I could loose Joseph. Surely he won’t divorce me or have me stoned? What will mom and dad say? How will I tell them? Oh, what should I do?”

Then she remembered the voice of the angel. “Cousin Elizabeth is pregnant too! I have to talk to her. She’ll understand. I need Elizabeth. I will go to her. She’ll know what to do.”

Mary made the necessary preparations as soon as she could and headed off to the home of Elizabeth and Zechariah. As she walked, she thought about Elizabeth. “Elizabeth is so righteous. She has observed God’s commands and decrees blamelessly (Luke 1:6). Poor Elizabeth. She has endured so much because she has no children. She has heard every reason in the book and has been given every remedy known to man. Imagine thinking that Elizabeth was childless because she had sinned! And what about that silly idea that she try mandrake leaves like Rachel did! But that will end soon! A miracle has happened.”

Mary made her legs go as fast as she could to Elizabeth’s home, her place of safety and comfort.

What a precious relationship Elizabeth and Mary must have had. I believe Elizabeth was much more than just a relative. She was a friend, a mentor, a sister, a confidant, an encourager—all that Mary needed at this strange time. She needed someone with strong faith to believe her. She needed someone who had personal experience with miracles and God’s way of doing things. She needed someone to explain the changes about to take place in her body and how to give birth. Elizabeth fit the bill.

Pondering Mary’s relationship with Elizabeth has made me wonder who I hurry to when I have a unique need. Who is my Elizabeth? Who do I have in my life who lives rightly and follows God wholeheartedly? Who has experienced the miracles of God and knows he can do the impossible? Who will give me Godly counsel and encourage me to hear and obey the voice of God?

And likewise, am I an Elizabeth for others? Am I a place of safety and comfort that others can run to?

PRAYER

Lord God, thank you for giving Mary a place to run to in her time of need. Thank you for Elizabeth’s godly example. Please provide this kind of friendship and mentoring for me and my sisters in Christ. Teach us how to be a place of strong safety and comfort for others.

Next: Multiplication Mindset

For an edited (an much better written) version of this, please purchase Favored Blessed Pierced: A Fresh Look at Mary of Nazareth, available on Amazon.